InfoKwik Kansas City Area News

Now is the time to quit smoking

When Smokers Quit Benefits Are Immediate

20 Minutes After Quitting:

Your blood pressure drops to a level close to that before the last cigarette. The temperature of your hands and feet increases to normal.

8 Hours After Quitting:

The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

24 hours After Quitting:

Your chance of heart attack decreases.

2 Weeks-3 Months After Quitting:

Your circulation improves and your lung function increases up to 30 percent.

1-9 Months After Quitting:

Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decreases; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lung) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection.

1 Year After Quitting:

The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.

5-15 Years After Quitting:

Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5-15 years after quitting.

10 Years After Quitting:

The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker's. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, espohagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.

15 Years After Quitting:

The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker's.

Source: American Cancer Society

Guide to Quitting Smoking

Double your chances of quitting for good.

Call 1-800-ACS-2345 to speak with someone who can help.

The US Surgeon General has stated, "Smoking cessation (stopping smoking) represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives."